During the reign of the wicked Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian, there lived in Nicomedia the daughter of a wealthy pagan named Africanus, by the name of Juliana. Hearing about Christ, she believed and became a secret Christian, rejecting the proposed marriage to the eparch Eleusius until he accepted Christianity. Her father, upon learning of her faith, cruelly tortured her, but she steadfastly endured the sufferings, refusing to worship idols.
Eleusius, wishing to take revenge for her refusal, subjected her to cruel tortures, but Juliana remained unyielding. She prayed to God, and, receiving support from Heaven, was able to bind the devil who tried to deceive her. After many torments, including being thrown into fire and a boiling cauldron, she remained unharmed, which led to the conversion of many pagans to Christianity.
In the end, Juliana was sentenced to death. She went to her execution with joy, as to a wedding, and was beheaded. Her body was buried by a Roman woman named Sophia, who built a church in her honor. Eleusius soon faced God's punishment for his wicked deeds.
Saint Juliana, who suffered for Christ, now rejoices in the heavenly abode, glorified through the ages. Amen.
